Hummel, Purdue cruise by Detroit

Nov 15, 2008 - 7:23 AM
WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (Ticker) -- The same balanced attack
Purdue used on its way to a breakout campaign last season was on
display again Friday.

Robbie Hummel had 14 points and nine rebounds to lead the
10th-ranked Boilermakers past Detroit, 82-50.

Purdue (1-0), which returns its starting five from last season's
25-win squad, also got 18 points off the bench from E'Twaun
Moore while JaJuan Johnson added 17.

"I just try to find open spots in the defense and I know these
guys will find me," Johnson said. "I've just got to continue to
stay active and run the floor; these guys are unselfish, they'll
find me."

The trio is joined by Keaton Grant, who struggled on 3-of-11
shooting for nine points, to form a roster that enters the
season with Big Ten and national title expectations.

Hummel was voted the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year after
averaging 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game during his
freshman campaign.

With the Titans (0-1) trailing, 24-17, with 7:17 left in the
opening half after a jumper by Thomas Kennedy, the Boilermakers
went on a 16-5 run to enter the break leading, 40-22.

The Boilermakers were outrebounded, 41-36, but knocked down
eight 3-pointers while holding the Titans to just 33 percent
(17-of-52) shooting from the field.

Purdue shared the ball effectively, dishing out 20 assists on 28
made field goals while only committing three turnovers.

"I've never experienced that," Detroit coach Ray McCallum said
of the way Purdue protected the ball. "Their sureness with the
basketball at this time of the year, even though we couldn't
pressure them, it didn't matter. They're so confident with the
ball."